When I arrived set-up & soundcheck were underway. Not all the band was there so Dave (the Kiwi in the Hounds) had taken the opportunity to test a new song with Matt Dwyer (rhythm). Matt played. Dave sang. They were happy with the result but as Matt told Dave how it would go with the full band would depend on what Steve (lead) played.

Matt Dwyer & Dave Hogan

That lead me to consider one of the best things about this band is that they are spontaneous. They don’t rehearse & shows are delivered in a gentlemanly fashion with the 4 vocalists taking turns – choosing a song & taking lead vocal on that song. That day they gave us lots of songs I haven’t heard them play before. Sure we had well-known favourites like Shake, Rattle & Roll (a Jerome choice) but a little earlier we had heard the rare I Wish I was a Catfish (a Dave selection).

The Basement was full. The audience attentive. There was less dancing than usual & at one point there were 3 blokes (2 of them regulars) dancing by themselves – not something you see often.

In the break a guy standing beside the table where we were sitting near the back confessed he was a Kiwi, born in Invercargill. At the end I made sure Dave found out. It transpired that these 2 knew each other but had never reached the ‘where-were-you-born’ question. Dave was born in Dipton (north of Invercargill). I overheard the other guy say he was actually born south of Invercargill. So with Southland geography the focus, I left to get the tram home.